Driving mechanism for bridges



PatentedAug. 15, .1893.

R. P. LAMONT. :DRIVING MECHANISM IoR BRIDGES.

(No Model.)

"'lNvENToFKT 3 if; AT1-ORME( wxTbfEssEs'u v NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT P. LAMONT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR BRIDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,378, dated August15, 1893.

Application led November 25 1892. Serial No. 452.978. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ROBERT P. LAMONT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Driving-Power for Bridges; and Ideclare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object the provision of a driving power 'forthat class of bridges wherein either the entire bridge, or a sectionthereof is tilted to open it. That is to say, one end of the section iselevated, while the other end is depressed. I-Ieretofore in this classof bridges, it has been customary to apply the power to elevate thesection by engaging to the outer end of the section a flexibleconnection, and extend it up over towers or trestle work, and down to awindlass or other power applying mechanism. In my invention the power isapplied to the end which is depressed and consequently the drivingmechanism is entirely below the surface of the road way, and out ofsight. It consists in a combination of devices and applianceshereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1. represents a side elevation of a section ofbridge with my apparatus applied thereto. Fig. 2. is a rear elevation ofa portion of the same.

I will further state that in an application iiled of even date herewithfor counter-balances for bridges, I have shown an entire section ofbridge with my power mechanism applied thereto.

In carrying out myinvention A represents the section of bridge that isto be tilted, a representing the rear or depressible end thereof.Extending from this rear end is the arm B, preferably made up as shownin Fig. 2 of two channel irons with a cross barb extending at rightangles across the end of the arm B.

C represents the permanent section of the bridge and D the up-rights towhich the bridge section is pivoted.

E is a frame work constructed with one edge c straight, and the edge csector shaped. The edge e has bearing wheels, or rollers F.

G-G are sprocket wheels at each end of the frame work E, and H is asprocket chain passed around said sprocket Wheels and around the edge ofthe frame work. This sprocket chain is engaged at h to the cross bar b,there being as shown in Fig. 2, two of these sprocket chains, oneengaged to each end of the cross bar b.

It will of course be understood that the mechanism shown herein isduplicated on the other side of the bridge, the shaft G2 connecting thetwo. It will now be understood that when any suitable driving power isapplied to the shaft G2, the sprocket wheel G will be revolved, thuscausing the sprocket chain to travel round the edge of the framework,carrying with it the arm B, and consequently depressing this end of thebridge section. When the arm B and its accompanying cross bar havereached the lower end of the frame work, the bridge is opened to itsfullest extent, and to lower it,the direction of the revolution of theshaft Gr2 need only be reversed. Asimple, compact, and efficient drivingpower is thus provided, and one that is entirely beneath the roadway andout of sight. At the same time by the employment of this form ofmechanism for opening the bridge section the said section can be thrownto a substantially vertical position and the water way thus be open andunobstructed to its widest extent.

What I claim is- 1. In a bridgethe combination with a tilting sectionthereof, of mechanism for tilting said section consisting of a flexibleconnection engaged to the end of said section to be depressed, pulleysabove and below said section around which the connection passes,bearings between said pulleys for holding said connection substantiallyon the line traveled by the depressible end, and means for causing saidflexible connection to move in either direction to elevate or depressthe end to which it is engaged, substantiallyas described.V

IOO

end, and means for causing one or both of said sprocketwheels torevolve, substantially as described.

8. In a bridge the combination with a tilting section thereof of anendless sprocket chain engaged -at one point to the end of said sectionto be depressed, sprocket wheels above and below said point ofconnection with the section, bearings between said wheels for holdingone side of said chain substantially on the line traveled bythedepressible end, and means for causing one of the sprocket wheels torevolve, substantially as described. 4. In a bridge the combination witha tilting section thereof of an endless sprocket chain engaged at onepoint to the end of said section to be depressed, sprocket wheels aboveand belowr said point of engagement, means for applying power to revolveone of said sprocket wheels and a series of rollers arranged on the arcof a circle on which said sprocket chain bears, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

ROBERT P. LAMONT.

IVitnesses:

H. CHAMBERLIN, J. RAYHILL.

